Heater core pipes and hoses - 2 questions

[KevAndAndi]

I installed a silicone hose kit which replaces many of the rubber vacuum hoses and a couple of the rubber coolant hoses. (It did not include a radiator-to-coolant-overflow-bottle hose, so I bought one from another silicone hose supplier.)

Now I'm considering replacing my heater core, or at least the pipes as they are corroded. Has anyone had experience using silicone hoses rather than rubber ones for the heater core pipe connections at the engine side of the firewall? Obviously, silicone can handle coolant, but the properties of the material make it rather floppy compared to rubber, and it doesn't have the molded shape for the application. I'm not sure how well this would work with the Prestone T, etc. Should I stick with rubber?

Also, I installed Mark's stainless steel heater return pipe (this is the one under the exhaust manifold). The old heater pipe had a bracket that was broken. The new pipe did not come with a bracket. Is it necessary to support the heater pipe, and if so, how would that be achieved?

[klweimer]

I'd stick with the rubber pre-formed hoses. They have internal fabric reinforcement that will better handle the heat and pressure of the coolant. New ones will last at least a decade. I used one of Mark's replacement stainless steel pipes from the water pump to the heater hoses without the extra support. No problem.